Turn Your Tongue Blue with Blueberries!

Blueberries are beautiful little blue morsels packed with a deliciously sweet flavor and a nutritional profile that rivals most other fresh plants and vegetables. In fact, blueberries are some of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet.

Blueberries come in two different varieties: highbush and lowbush blueberries. Highbush blueberries are the kind that you may find at your local grocery store or farmers market. Lowbush blueberries tend to be smaller and slightly sweeter, and are typically used for juices, jams, and other commercially prepared foods such as blueberry muffins or mixes.

Blueberries are native to North America but can be found growing in natural conditions all over the world, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and some temperate climates of Asia. They’re easily cultivated and commercially grown in South America and even Northern Africa.

Surprisingly there are hybrids of the highbush blueberries that have been shown to thrive in areas of the world with freezing temperatures. You can find these hybrid highbush blueberries as far north as Scandinavia and as far south as Chile and Argentina.

Fun Facts About Blueberries!

Ninety-eight percent of all U.S. blueberries are grown in only 10 states: Washington, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Mississippi, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, and Florida. Florida alone is responsible for producing about 17 million pounds of fresh blueberries each year.

Regardless of the massive-scale of blueberry production in the U.S., most blueberries consumed by Americans are imported from Canada and Chile. An average American consumes 1.2 pounds of blueberries a year.

Over the past 20 years, production of highbush blueberries has increased by more than 500 million pounds in the U.S. and North America. Harvest season usually occurs from mid-June to mid-August. Although in Florida, mostly because of the humidity and warm year-round conditions, blueberry production peaks during March and April.

Just 1 cup of blueberries can provide 24% of the total recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

Frozen vs. Fresh Blueberries

One blueberry can freeze in four minutes flat. (Go ahead, try it out and time your blueberries!) While frozen blueberries are an excellent alternative to fresh that you can add quickly to smoothies, cake, and pie recipes, and even eat as a refreshing snack, there is some evidence to suggest that freezing blueberries does diminish the health benefits. In fact, this study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences revealed that over the course of six months in storage, the anthocyanin in the frozen blueberries degraded by 59%.

While more research is certainly needed, fresh organic blueberries have been consistently linked to myriad health benefits and are often considered a powerhouse superfood that’s worth including in your regular diet as much as you would like.

Blueberry Nutrition

A large handful (or about a cup) of blueberries contains 84 calories, 3.6 grams of fiber, and 1.1 grams of protein. That same 1-cup portion is also rich in calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and folate.

Blueberries are also naturally abundant in copper, beta-carotene, and vitamins E and A. They’re rich in flavonoids and phytochemicals that have been shown to possess many anti-inflammatory and anti-neurodegenerative properties.

The dense nutritional profile of blueberries places them high on the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (or ANDI). This index is responsible for rating foods based on their phytochemical composition, antioxidant content, and vitamin and mineral abundance. Currently, blueberries have a score of 132 on the ANDI, making these little blue gems one of the most highly rated fruits on the charted list of fruits and vegetables.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

It’s no question that eating more blueberries can lead to lifelong benefits, but here are some science-based quantifiable ways blueberries can impact your health and wellness for years to come.

Blueberries Help Prevent Cancer

The powerful antioxidants found in blueberries, including vitamins C and A, have been shown to protect cells against the free radical damage that can eventually lead to cancer and other diseases.

Blueberries May Lower Blood Pressure

According to a study conducted by Nutrition Research, researchers discovered that including blueberry extract in the diets of hypertensive stroke-prone rats lowered blood pressure dramatically. The researchers believe that this reduction could help protect kidneys and reduce the risk of hypertension.

This study was massive, following almost 100,000 women between the ages of 25 and 42. Subjects who consumed at least three servings of blueberries or strawberries each week showed the most promising results.

Blueberries Improve Brain Health

Flavonoids have long been associated with enhanced mental health and the prevention of cognitive decline. A study presented in the US National Library of Medicine, linked high blueberry intake with a significant reduction in cognitive decline, even delaying genetic predispositions for up to two and a half years.

Another study conducted in the European Journal of Nutrition tested cognitive function in adults ages 60-75. Participants consumed freeze-dried blueberries or a placebo for 90 days. They completed a series of tests for balance, cognition, and gait both at the beginning of the study, 45 days in, and at the end of the 90 days.

There was no significant improvement found in gait or balance. However, those who took the freeze-dried blueberries performed better in the cognitive testing.

Blueberries and Skin Health

Vitamin C is believed to contribute to the natural production (and regeneration) of collagen in the skin, which allows the skin to look younger, fuller, and helps prevent damage from the sun and pollution.

Blueberries are extraordinarily high in vitamin C, particularly for their size, containing 24% of the recommended daily allowance.

Blueberries for Weight Loss and Weight Management

Blueberries are naturally rich in dietary fiber, which has long been associated with aiding in weight loss and weight management by creating a feeling of satiety. A cup of blueberries can leave you feeling full and satisfied for much longer than a cup of potato chips or another high-fat, low-dietary fiber food.

Blueberries can also help prevent constipation and support a healthy digestive tract.

Blueberries are also super versatile and can be eaten fresh as a snack or in many healthful recipes. They can be topped on your morning oatmeal, added to waffle and pancake recipes, and baked in scones or muffins.

Blueberries can be sprinkled on salads, tossed in pasta salads, or included as part of a homemade jam or fruit spread to crackers and cheese or sandwiches. Fresh blueberry juice combined with a simple syrup, can make a delicious topping for pancakes or waffles.

You can also toss a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries in a smoothie, along with a scoop of Veggie Shake, a banana, and milk of your choice for a slightly sweet, but definitely delicious morning boost of nutrition.

A Note of Caution for Blueberries

Blueberries are unusually high in vitamin K, which can cause complications for those on blood thinning medication. If you’re on blood thinners, do not increase your blueberry intake rapidly, and be sure to consult with a qualified medical professional before adding more blueberries to your diet.